How Do I Apply?

Learn about the Process of Becoming a Habitat Homeowner
Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity builds homes with partner families and the community, and then sells the homes to partner families using zero percent interest mortgages creating no profit to our organization. Central Minnesota Habitat also prepares partner families to be successful homeowners through various homeownership programs. The following steps describe the application process with links at the bottom to descriptions of the partner family phase and the homeownership phase.

Step 1: Attend a Public Information Meeting

Those interested in applying must attend a Public Information Meeting. These meetings are held once or twice a year and will be advertised on our website as well as around the community.  At this meeting, those attending will learn more about the homeownership program, the qualifications necessary, and how to apply. Applications are only available at these meetings.Click HERE for upcoming Public Information Meetings. If there are none currently scheduled, sign up HERE to be contacted when we do have a meeting scheduled.

Step 2: Gather all application materials and set up an application appointment

Following the Public Information Meeting, those still interested in applying have about 30 days to finish the application and collect all the necessary documentation listed on the application checklist. At this time, the applicant is also required to call Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity to set up an appointment to turn in their finished application and other documents. The appointment to turn in the application can take place after the 30 day period, but the applicant must call to schedule before the deadline specified at the public information meeting. The application and all documentation must be finished at the time of the appointment or the application will not be accepted.

Step 3: Staff Review of Applications

After the application deadline, the staff will meet with applicants to ensure completion of their application. After these meetings, the staff will process the applications to ensure that they meet all requirements of partnership with Habitat for Humanity.  This step will last about a month.

Step 4: Home Interview

The applicant is informed whether or not their application will continue in the application process. For those who do continue, the next step is a home visit by a pair of volunteers who will assess the current living situation of the applicant and conduct an interview with the applicant.

Step 5: Final Review by Staff and Family Selection Committee

Applications and home interviews are given a final review by staff and a volunteer committee called the Family Selection Committee. The staff and committee makes recommendations of who to partner with to the Board of Directors.The privacy of applications is maintained to as great an extent as possible. Applications are kept locked at all times and only those who need to see the application are allowed to view it.

Step 6: Board approval

The Board of Directors reviews staff and committee recommendations and gives approval to begin partnership with the recommended applicants. At this time, a letter is sent out to notify the applicant if they have been accepted or not.

IF ACCEPTED

Step 7: Pre-Partnership Discussions

If the applicant has been accepted to be a homeowner, discussions begin with Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity. In these discussions, Habitat will ensure that the applicant knows the responsibilities for families that partner with Habitat and to better determine the particular needs for the applicant and/or the applicant's family.

Step 8: Partnership Agreement is signed

The applicant and Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity sign a partnership agreement that outlines the responsibilities of both in the partnership. At this point in time, the partnership phase begins.

 

For more information about the Partnership phase, click HERE.

For more information about the Homeowner phase, click HERE.